He thought they were never going to get back! He was forced to let his horse take a slower pace after sensing he was tiring from the run and so much weight. He was almost tempted to get off and run the rest of the way. But he wasn't going to leave the Queen - he promised he wouldn't let her out of his sight.
As they reached the castle, he became aware that something was wrong and out of place. As the walls loomed, he knew what it was. No one demanded they halt, no torches burned, nor did any move about. The entire night guard was silent.
It was the sorcerer. That disgusting creature cast some spell to immobilize or make the castle unaware of his presence. He'd have to see what kind of damage was done to the population when they arrived. He sorely hoped the sorcerer didn't kill everybody!
He was forced to stop at the outer gates. It took some maneuvering to scale the walls and find the latch in the dark, but he opened the outer door and let the Queen pass. That done, he hurried to the inner courtyard and repeated the process. After mounting his steed again and urging him on, he looked to any available knight, to see what was going on.
The horse passed a few as they came upon the main gates, but they didn't look dead. When the horse stopped in front, he saw armor move. Everyone was simply asleep. He gave a momentary sigh of relief before dismounting and going for the doors. After opening them, he stayed on the ground and looked to the Queen. "Stay on my horse, but follow me my Queen. I can't stand all this idle time."
She gave a nod and took the reigns. "I'll follow you Prince. Just lead the way."
With a nod, he took off toward the staircase closest to the royal family's sleeping quarters. Since the entire populace seemed asleep, it made no difference if he kept quiet or not. Stealth was needed to leave the forest, but speed was the most essential thing right now.
"RELENA?!" Hands cupped his mouth as he shouted her name, running full speed down the bedroom hall. Not far behind, he could hear his horse's hooves following. "Relena, ANSWER me!"
Swinging the door so hard it hit the wall, he ran into her room and searched. It didn't take long and he found she had another nightmare by proof of tousled blankets on her bed. She was normally always so neat.
Fists clenched as frustrated tears came. If she wasn't here, but hopefully in the castle area, she could be ANYWHERE by now. If not, he failed her.
"Hiro?" His head swung and found his horse blocking the doorway, the Queen's head poking under. "Where's Relena?"
"She's not here. We need to search the grounds, but I won't let you go alone." His mind was oddly clear, though a major help. "I need you to move my Queen. I'm going to get my sword."
Her brow furrowed. "What would you need your sword for?"
His eyes dangerously glittered. "To run that bastard through!" He started for the door and was thankful she quickly moved the horse. "Stay close to me, my Queen. I may've been unable to fully protect Relena, but I won't have the same happen to YOU." Taking off again, he hurried the few doors to his room and burst through it. Quickly rummaging through his chest for armor and sword, he donned both with utmost efficiency.
"Where do we start looking?" She queried, head poking under his door. "The castle is so big..."
He looked at the writing on his blade, muttering to his ancestors in Japanese, asking for their protection and guidance. That done, he sheathed it the rest of the way and looked at her. "The forest." He announced, going for the horse.
She backed up to stay out of his way. Was THIS how he looked when he rescued Relena? She wouldn't want to be the sorcerer when Hiro caught up with him.
"Why the forest?" Her eyes followed and scooted forward when he mounted behind. "And which part?"
"I think I know the place. Relena mentioned that she ran through a dead forest and came upon a pond just before she woke up." He gripped the reigns and steered the horse down the hall. "I know the pond she talked about, I've seen it on our way back. The sorcerer didn't play the same nightmares to her every night just to make her think she was going crazy. He intended to take her there for some purpose. We just need to get there BEFORE him."
"Or, at the very least, in time to stop him!" She muttered, gripping the saddle.
~*~*~
Brambles scratched her arms and tore her dress, but pain wasn't felt through the terror and adrenaline she was feeling. Her head whipped behind, seeing the black mist cloud following almost casually.
So THIS was what it came down to? Having months of the same nightmare as a premonition to give her time to prepare to deal with the fear and exercise her escape route. Too bad she didn't have time to think, or she would've known just where she ended up.
Ducking under a limb without needing to see it, she was able to dodge the small set of dead brushes, keeping branches from poking her legs and waist. There were very few advantages of having the same nightmare - thoroughly knowing the terrain was one of them. As was the ability to CHANGE the routine.
She had to fight back, she KNEW that, but it was hard with the realization that tonight would be the last night on Sanc soil. She wouldn't get to see Hiro and her family, wouldn't get to speak with Millardo and marry Hiro unless she ran. Safety was number one, even if now, this was reality.
Fight back...she knew she SHOULD. Facing this fear that plagued her for so long was the only way to get her life back. But it was hard to be strong and protect herself when the very idea of being married to something so revolting - especially when she had no offensive powers! She had no armor, no sword, no shield, just a nightdress that was quickly becoming tatters for the servants to use as cleaning rags.
She KNEW this was coming someday, why didn't she take steps to prevent this? Or at least be prepared! She put everything in Hiro Yuy's 'capable' hands. Her eyes momentarily blazed. Where was he NOW? He swore to protect her, but he wasn't even in the castle. Somehow, she KNEW he wasn't when all this started and now she had to face the consequences of so thoroughly trusting someone and relying on them.
There was just no getting over tradition. The last time she was taken without a struggle, since there was no time. The same dark mist flew down amidst a clear sky and surrounded her. The servants around were cast dumb and rendered stone in their fear and bewilderment that they were no help. Even when her limbs were forced still, she tried to reach out to her maids nearby. They were just spending some time together, enjoying the beauty of nature at its best. But even Chastity, one of the smartest and quickest to act, was rendered the same as everyone else.
After stopping all movement and the cries for help started from those who saw her fly into the air, the laughter sounded. Cruel in its intent and spiteful for those that tried to help, it came from the cloud and rang in her ears. Your pitiful cries for help are useless! My lord wants this Princess for his own, and you'll not stop him! With not other clues as to where and how, she disappeared from Sanc and transported into the courtyard with the King sitting on his portable throne.
Her eyes squeezed shut. So many times she asked why HER? Why not some OTHER unfortunate princess? Even if she wasn't kidnapped and a marriage arranged, it was possible her father would choose the Yuy kingdom, due to their alliance. Not every bad start had a good ending. This one sure didn't!
So kept in her thoughts, she stumbled over an upraised root and heavily fell on her palms. Loudly crying out in pain and fear, she twisted around and found the cloud hovering over her. So ends the chase Princess. I must say, your recollection from your dreams is almost impeccable.
He was mocking her - and ENJOYING it! Through the fear, an intense stab of anger - one almost equal to seeing her brother and Hiro in the courtyard - stole through her. It banished the terror and gave her strength she needed to do something. With nothing to retort back, a hand gripped a nearby rock and hurled it to the cloud. It harmlessly passed through and the cloud laughed. Foolish girl! Do you think you could harm ME? I chose this form for that very reason! NO ONE can stop me!
"Burn in HELL!" She yelled, anger dying. The cloud laughed again, and she shot up, taking off. The anger didn't diminish, it stayed and gave her more to use than adrenaline. It also cleared some of the fog in her brain and allowed her time to think. This time, if she did reach the pond as always, she would stop at the edge of the forest so it couldn't grab her. Instead of fleeing, she would fight. "Fight...Relena," She huffed, "fight...for your life."
"Such a foolish wish, my bride-to-be."
That voice almost halted her running, and sent a cold chill down her spine. Anger and planning nearly fizzled to non-existence. He was here, and that terrified her more than dealing with the sorcerer on a nightly basis.
Her head whipped around to find the King running on all fours, his body wiggling around. He was a gross sight to behold, mouth open with that same loathing grin, eyes almost mad as he watched her.
Nearly shrieking, she pushed forward...through the forest. Skidding to a stop, she turned and faced the pair, waiting for them to come as well. The moonlight was ten times better without the trees casting shadowy hands on the ground. It was almost like she was light, and they were dark. The pond was directly behind her.
"SHOW yourself!" She bellowed, clenching shaking hands. With a proud chin and regal air, she vowed this time she would betray the sorcerer's nightmares and fight instead of run. Eyes swung to the pond, finding it far enough to not worry about. She was safe...relatively. "I said, SHOW yourselves, you cowards!" She yelled, getting angrier that they stayed in shadow.
"You needn't yell princess, we're right here." The King stood and walked from the forest, stopping directly in front of it.
Are you going to make this easier on all of us? The black mist floated out and stopped next to the King. Even though I love a good chase, I've done so every night for the past few months and it's getting a little tiresome.
Her jaw clenched, eyes blazing. "Go and leave me in PEACE." She grit out, glaring. If she could glare holes into them, they would've been dead by now. "What right do you have to take something not even yours and claim it as such? Go away you demon-spawn low lives! Let me live the rest of my life in peace and forget you ever SAW me!"
The King chuckled and looked to the black cloud, also laughing at her. "Pretty words my dear, but you can't back them up with an anger you don't have. You see, I was in your dreams and saw how much terror and fear you possess. You're no stronger than I am a magician."
"That's why you have HIM do your dirty work for you!"
"Enough!" The King bellowed. "Don't MOCK me Princess, for I will make your marriage to me hell if you don't play nice and come along quietly. I agree with my sorcerer that the chase WAS fun. But I long to see my kingdom again, and you will be the newest addition to it." He took a step, but she didn't move back. His face pursed in confusion. "Go on and run Princess, like I know you always do."
"I'm not RUNNING." She grit out, nails digging into her palms. She didn't have weapons to fight with, only anger. And that wasn't nearly enough. "I'm THROUGH being your pawn and source of sick amusement! If I had the power, I'd damn you to hell so I could at least get a good night's rest! And though I may have no physical weapons to harm you with, you vile creature...I'm. Not. RUNNING."
The King looked at a hoof, examining it like it was fascinating. "Another pretty speech my dear. I should have you talk to my men when it comes time to fight." His eyes locked on her, freezing her in place. "But I'm past talking and tire of this." His eyes swung to the cloud. "Take her and transport us home already."
"Leave her ALONE!"
Two sets of eyes swung to the pair fast approaching on horse and she felt tears come to her eyes. "Hiro!" She cried. She spotted another person in front of her love, and her eyes widened in a different kind of fear. "Mother! You must leave NOW!" She pleaded, not wanting her mother to get hurt, or in the middle of this. If things became a battle, she didn't want her mother to witness the horrors of war.
That distraction - though not foreseen - was what the sorcerer needed. The cloud shot a black hand out and latched it around her throat, lifting her in the air. She cried out and choked as the intangible hand started squeezing.
"No, Relena!" Hiro shouted, unconsciously yanking the reigns. The horse stopped feet from them and his eyes locked on his beloved. "Let her go!" He ordered, sword already drawn. IHe jumped from the horse and landed in front of the Queen and his steed, the tip pointed to the King, knowing he could stop all this.
Not going to HAPPEN boy! She's my lord's, as I told you! The cloud easily shifted her weight higher into the air out of reach and toward the pond.
"Let my daughter go!" The Queen ordered, eyes riveted on her only daughter. Hands clutched the reigns in a death grip.
"Not going to happen Queen Peacecraft." The King jeered. "Your daughter will be my wife and you my relation." His head swung to the cloud, only to be face to face with the sharp edge of a sword.
"Order your magician to SAFELY let Relena go and I won't take longer than necessary to kill you." He growled, eyes narrowed to slits.
"Is that a threat boy?" The King mused, not perturbed. "You are hardly in a position to bargain ANYTHING with me." He snorted. "You can't kill my sorcerer and your bold words won't keep me from trying again. She WILL be my wife, whether you're betrothed to her or not."
His fists shook and the sword shook. "Don't make me say it again." He hissed. "I WILL kill you! Put. Relena. DOWN!"
The King gave a sigh, as if his patience was being tested. "You HEARD the ruling Prince." A sudden, evil grin sprouted as his eyes locked on the cloud. "Put the Princess DOWN."
With PLEASURE.
The hand instantly let go and she fell...right into the pool. She gave a small, shocked scream, limbs flailing to grab a hold of something. The shock of such freezing water hit her and paralyzed her just enough for her to sink to the bottom.
"RELENA!" He shouted, eyes jerking to her when the splash hit his ears.
"NOW what do you want me to do boy? I did as you requested."
"COWARD! Rot in the fires of hell!" His sword shot forward, impaling the King between the eyes. It easily cracked the skull, sinking into the middle of his head. The anger he felt at the King and fear he felt toward Relena did the feat, though he didn't want to kill the king. Finding a way to banish him would've been enough. But the deed was done, the blood spilt. There was no turning back.
MY LORD! The cloud hovered forward a few inches before going back to the pond, where she managed to surface and tread water. An enraged cry left the cloud as the body slumped to the ground. Cretin! Barbaric lout! He shouted. You killed my lord...and in return...I'll kill your Princess!
He stared in shock at the cloud, now hovering over the pond. The pond was deep and wide enough where he couldn't do a thing. The cloud wasn't a physical form and the only way to hurt it was through magic - throwing his sword or grabbing an arrow would waste a weapon. Even trying to jump in was impossible, since there were enough weeds and algae to slow him down with his armor. There was nothing he could do and it was all his fault.
After the sorcerer chanted a few words, the water started moving. She looked at her mother and love standing just out of reach. Her mind was trying to focus around the numbing chill of water. A bulge on the ground next to Hiro caught her attention and even with her hazed mind, she knew what it was. Her blood froze even more and a large shiver overtook her. The King was dead. She was safe.
A wind her drew her eyes and they widened at the cloud. Her eyes landed on the area only a dozen foot away. If she could just get to shore...
Before paddling a single stroke, the water shifted with a life of its own and started swirling around her. Turning in circles with the tide, her legs kicked in attempt to keep her head above water. It didn't take long for the whirlpool to increase and it rose a few inches, dragging her to the center. 'Oh god, I'm going to DIE.'
"Relena!" He ran to the edge and stopped when the mud off-balanced him. He dropped to his knees in despair when the top of her head sunk from view. Fists clenched the grass, pulling it with his fingers. It was all his fault! "I'm sorry, Relena..." Tears came to his eyes and fell. "I don't know what to do..."
"Hiro!" The Queen shouted. Horrified blue remained on the whirlpool, barely able to see her daughter's head. "Help her! Do SOMETHING!"
"I don't know WHAT!" His head dropped to the grass. "I don't know what to DO... Please...help me. Help me save the woman I love." Saying the words out loud jerked his head up in surprise. Though it was no surprise he loved Relena, it was the first time he said it out loud. "Relena! Hear me! Fight him Relena! Use your powers! Don't let it end this way!"
He didn't know what to do. It all seemed so hopeless. He was rambling with a pretense that his ancestors bestowed some wisdom that could help. The pond wasn't a lake, but it was deep enough to suck her under and steal her from them. "I WON'T let you die on me Relena." He vowed. Hands gripped the grass, and he felt something build. It flowed with all the anger and love he felt and the unknown force surged in his fingertips. "If only I knew what to do..."
Teary eyes helplessly looked at the pool, the tide rising with each circle it made. There had to be a way to reverse it! Feeling that power of nature build - so much more than his normal, passive scans - he it go and clouded his mind to everything but saving Relena.
With a focus and direction to channel this energy, he was immediately enveloped in green, and the glow shot across the ground to the water. It disappeared and seconds later, the entire pond glowed a distinctive green. The whirlpool dissolved, the swirls rapidly dying to nothing. The green suddenly died as well, dark water turning back to normal.
When the pond's surface shone the moonlight again, Relena was nowhere to be found. You're too LATE boy! Not even your powers could've stopped me!
Just as the sorcerer finished mocking his best, unknown try, the water lit up and shot a hurricane into the air. The water swirled up and Relena's body floated in the middle, the yellow of her powers adding to the green of his.
It worked! Whatever he just did, it WORKED! His eyes remained on her, wishing for her to open her eyes and look at him. But her face was impassive, body still as stone. She didn't even look to be breathing. She floated above, limbs dangling in the water, hair flowing about her body. She looked like some sort of water goddess.
"Relena!" He shouted. "LISTEN to me Relena! Open your eyes! LOOK at me! Let me know you're alright!" He waited for his pleads to reach her, but it seemed she was deaf to them. What was she thinking that made her this way? She trusted him before...she loved him before...
His eyes widened with a possibility that was so simple it might work. "Relena! Please, you can't let the sorcerer win! What of our marriage? There's so much I want to show you of Japan! I want you to rule with me. Bear my children. Be my wife. Listen to my voice and come back Relena! Don't leave me... I...I LOVE you!"
She felt at peace, levitating off the ground amidst the waves. She was in no harm, her powers saw to that. They transferred oxygen in the water so her lungs could breathe. She was utterly peaceful, all her problems seemed to stay away. Somewhere in the depths of her mind, those three little words penetrated the haze of her surroundings.
The serene state of mind was shattered, and her heart clenched with love toward her betrothed. Slowly, her eyes peeked open, yellow instead of blue. "H...Hiro?" Her arms slowly spread and her form halted.
"Yes!" He wanted to cry his relief. Tears fell unheeded as he stared into those gorgeous eyes. It didn't matter if they weren't her original color, they showed she wasn't dead. "Relena, you have the power to break the water's hold over you. This is your chance to fight back!"
"But...I don't know HOW." She answered, words almost labored. Somehow, speaking didn't seem so important as it should be. Up here allowed her to think she had all the time in the world.
"Use my power! Like you did to heal me. Trust yourself Relena. Don't think, just DO."
She solemnly stared for what seemed an eternity before nodding. Looking around the prison as if just seeing it, hands raised to her eyes, looking at green intermingling with yellow. A sense of power surged as she became aware of everything, mind clearing to a point she never knew she could transcend to.
Looking straight up found the cloud at the center. Her eyes narrowed, feeling hatred and malice where fear and terror once was. "YOU..."
NO! I won't let you live! Your death will repay my King's life! DIE! Another set of magical words left the sorcerer's voice and the water swirled even faster. She looked around the walls, the spell having no effect. It surged higher than before, raising her closer to the mist. A plan surrounded her head and she let the current take her.
"You are the cause of all my pain and suffering! Your king got what he deserved! It's time for YOU to share the same fate!" She quickly reached out and grabbed hold of the cloud, wrapping her arms around it.
No! What is this!? I can't get free!
"Your powers are no match for our combined ones. Good ALWAYS overcomes evil. You'll learn that lesson now." With a bowed head, she looked at her love and gave a caring smile. Seeing her mother not too far off, she sent a loving grin.
"Relena?!"
"No! My baby!"
"I love you Hiro. I love you mother." Closing her eyes with a resigned sigh, the water prison halted and dropped. She fell in the center, cold shocking her system again. The cloud gave an anguished yell of defeat. Though it could conquer air and land, water was too dense for it to survive, and the sorcerer wouldn't have the breath to change his form and escape. She was finally free, even if it was like THIS.
As she sunk into the black, her eyes pictured Hiro and her mother, and she held them to her heart.
'Goodbye.'
~*~*~
He was sloshed as the water settled, but he didn't waver. Nothing could change the amount of surprise on his face at what she just did. Using his powers and hers to stay alive under water and control it, she just sacrificed herself to save him and her kingdom.
Tears swelled and fell. He couldn't seem to move, so great was his shock. She just sacrificed herself for him... No matter what he tried to do, to move or even breathe, his mind kept repeating that simple phrase. He stared at the pond as it grew still, as if waiting for her to surface. He knew she wouldn't, she held the resigned look, one he knew of in the past. She intended on keeping the sorcerer underwater with their powers until he was dead, and so was she.
"Oh my god! RELENA!" The Queen screeched, tears streaming down her face. She dismounted without dignity and ran to the edge of the pool. She stared at the surface for a mere second before gripping the numb boy's arm and shaking it - hard. "Hiro! Wake up Hiro! You have to DO something!"
Shrouded in green, the shake jogged his mind free and he blinked. He could feel more powerful now that the water returned his powers. She was giving him back his power. It might already be too late... He could feel the strength of nature surround him.
No. It was NEVER too late! Without looking at the Queen, saying a word, or thinking, he dove into the pond and headed for the bottom. He didn't know how deep it was, it was extensive. Nonetheless, he had to TRY. For once, the light helped, since it lit up the area he was around. He dared open his eyes a few times, and shut them at such a putrid feeling. It stung, and he was forced to keep them shut after that, which he didn't like, but had to obey.
When he surfaced for air, the Queen forgot to breathe. He was alone. "Did you find her?" She asked, hands wringing in her agitation. "She's got to be there somewhere!" Oh god, it couldn't end like this! She just got her baby back! To lose her before she could let her husband give her away... What would she tell the kingdom?
"I'm not giving up UNTIL I find her." Taking another breath, he let the armor's weight sink him and spread his hands out. He searched along the center, hoping she was there.
After he went up a second time and sunk a third, he was beginning to feel heavier by the weight in his heart than his armor. The blind feel search was proving useless, so he forced to deal with the pain and opened his eyes. With the glow emanating from his body, he spotted a small bump on the opposite edge. Hope clawing at him, he swam over and felt utterly relieved, with fear springing to life.
She was hunched over as she was after grabbing the mist, arms hugging her body. There wasn't one trace of yellow. Forcing himself not to give up, he gripped her and kicked to the surface as his lungs started burning.
Seeing two heads, she gave a relieved sob and sloshed into the shallows to help him drag her to the ground. She took over and let the Prince catch his breath, gripping her daughter's sodden body. Hands clutched her jaw and frantic eyes scanned her features, but didn't see an ounce of life to them.
"No..." She moaned. Her head buried against her daughter's chest. "No, it can't END this way! Evil was defeated, good should PREVAIL." Crying all the pent-up guilt and sorrow, her arms wrapped around the slim girl.
He looked at the Queen through red-rimmed, pained eyes and his head drooped in shame. He failed everyone. He failed Relena's kingdom, her parents, her servants and followers, and her. He couldn't protect her, and now she was dead.
NO! She wasn't dead yet, the logical side screamed.
His head jerked up and he tiredly scrambled over on his knees, prying Relena from her mother's grip. Putting his ear to her face to listen for breathing, he found none and pushed her head back. Pinching her nose, he breathed into her mouth, hoping he could revive her. After a couple of breaths, he pushed down on her chest, hoping and praying with all his might that he was doing this correctly and that it would work.
After more breaths and repeated compressions, it didn't look to be the case. He became frantic to the point of crushing her rib cage, but couldn't let up. She WOULD be okay, damn it! She couldn't leave him! He needed her! Without Relena's love and laughter, he would end up the same cold, uncaring, unfeeling Prince he was before. He couldn't live that way anymore! He'd die before going back!
"Hiro...Hiro stop." Her hands slowly covered his, resigned. She watched with sad compassion as he exhaled a shuddery breath and his head dropped onto her daughter's body. It was over. He tried, but there was nothing he could do.
A hand rested on his hair, trying to comfort him, though there was much she needed as well. Her heart clenched, knowing he was so much in love, and that love was stolen when it was so new. His first love, she realized. And he wouldn't get the chance to show her to his father and boast of their plans of marriage. Her brows twisted as she watched his back spasm. "It's over." She whispered, staring into her daughter's peaceful face.
He didn't want to admit she was right. It hurt too much to admit the love of his life was gone. But the proof was lifeless beneath him.
His eyes squeezed shut, long ago cleansed by tears. The Queen was right, it was over. He tried his best multiple times, and it wasn't good enough. His best just wasn't ENOUGH.
Slowly looking at her face, a hand stroked clammy skin. What was he going to do NOW? Life didn't hold meaning to him anymore. He didn't think it was possible for a single person to feel this much pain.
Slowly rubbing her lips, his throat clenched. He had to say goodbye, though he didn't get a chance when she was alive. It was a way to gain closure and start to grieve. But he wouldn't move on - wouldn't forget. He could NEVER forget his one true love. For him, Relena was all he wanted.
"If you just ASKED...I could've given you the world." He rasped, throat choking. "I would've found a way." Harshly swallowing, he didn't know what to do. He wanted to cradle her body in his arms and never let go, but that wasn't possible. Things needed to be done. His head lowered, bangs covering his face.
An immeasurable amount of time seemed to pass. His hair dried a little, but he hardly felt a thing. He didn't feel ANYTHING. He was numb.
Not wanting to move his hand from her lips, to take his body from her side, he refused to move unless necessary. Staying frozen in that position, not caring what the Queen saw, he became aware of something in the cold. His entire body was frozen and clammy from the air and freezing water. His hands were nearly numb...but the hand touching Relena's lips was warm.
His head jerked up when the Queen gave a gasp, and saw her lips shrouded in yellow. Yellow was the telltale sign that her powers were working. "Relena?" He tentatively whispered.
Absently, his finger rubbed her lips in an almost mesmerized way. Slowly, the warmth became more pronounced until they parted almost on their own. Like water saturating the ground, the glow spread over her skin. It gained speed the farther it went and soon covered her entirely.
Wide, disbelieving eyes stared, mentally chanting for her to open her eyes. After his dozenth chant, her lashes barely fluttered. The breath halted in his lungs. Slowly, almost trance-like, hands cupped her jaw and rubbed her cheeks, as if trying to bring warmth back to them. "Come on Relena..." He urgently whispered, leaning closer to her face. "Come back to me. Don't leave me here by myself..." Gently, he kissed her. "I love you Relena." He whispered. "Open your eyes so I can see you're alive."
As if by command, thick lashes fluttered again and her eyes opened a slit. "M...mother? He...Hiro?" She answered. "What's...going...on?"
Never had her daughter's voice been so heavenly. Hands searched and tightly gripped her daughter's, raising it to her cheek. Rubbing her skin with the pale, slim hand, grateful tears ran from her eyes. "Nothing's going on baby. You were just having a horrible dream."
"No, it was real...I..." She tried to sit up, but his hands kept her from doing so.
"Don't try and move Relena. You just let your powers heal you up." He answered, a relieved smile on his face. Even though her eyes were yellow, they were the most beautiful sight he ever witnessed. She was ALIVE! His heart soared and his mind felt at peace. Even though exhausted from such a long, LONG ordeal, she pulled through. In such depths of water, the powers that kept her alive in the magical hurricane shifted to keep her under that long.
Her gaze slowly swung to his. "Your words pulled me through Hiro." She whispered. Her other hand gripped his and he easily accepted. "I heard you in my prison." A teary smile appeared. "I always longed to hear those words from your lips, but I was satisfied in seeing, rather than hearing."
"I'll NEVER get tired of showing how much I love you Relena." He whispered. "But now I know I can tell you, too."
"Then tell me again Hiro." She strove to sit up again. Slowly disengaging her hand from her mothers, she gave the elder a loving smile and turned. "For I so wish to hear it."
Love swelled in his heart. He held their gaze with an intensity to rival the most potent emotions a person could feel. Gripping her jaw, thumbs rubbed her skin, feeling warmth, so much like the sun. "I love you Princess Relena Peacecraft...my wife to be."
"And I love you Prince Hiro Yuy, my real betrothed and one true love." When they kissed, his power evaporated to be used when needed and hers faded as her strength returned. When they pulled away, both looked as normal. "Let's go home. I'm suddenly tired for a NORMAL night's rest."
He gave a grin and stood, taking her in his arms. For some reason - though not totally hard comprehend - he felt like laughing. Amusingly looking at her as she snuggled against wet armor and clothes, totally soaked herself, he finally looked at the Queen. "You can take my horse, my Queen. It's not too far back home, and I'd rather walk."
She gave a knowing smile. "Of course young Prince. No need to put my daughter down just to help me up, I'm quite capable." She walked over and in the blink of an eye, was sitting sidesaddle. "If you'll lead the way." She beckoned with a hand toward the shortcut they took from the castle and let the horse amble next to him.
"When we get home, I'm going to sleep for a WEEK." She muttered, giving a yawn. Her cheek snuggled against his shoulder, nose absently rubbing the end of his jaw.
Shivers stole up his spine, and arms reflexively tightened. "The first thing YOU need little miss," He hoarsely rasped, "is a proper bath."
"I don't care about looking prissy." She pouted. She looked into his eyes and found them humorous, getting a smile. "All I want is to go to sleep, with you by my side of course." Arms went around his neck and she hugged him.
